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Houston Independent School District Superintendent Richard Carranza on Monday announced his decision to end his tenure as the leader of Texas’ largest school district.

Carranza assumed his role as superintendent with unanimous Board of Education approval in August 2016, promising to improve student academic achievement, provide student support through wraparound services, and create a system of equity for the district’s 284 schools.

“It has been an honor and privilege to have served the students of the Houston Independent School District and bring a voice to communities that have historically been underserved,” Carranza said. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my departure as I embark on this new journey. I am looking forward to the opportunity of serving the 1.1 million students in New York City. I am forever grateful to the people of Houston for allowing me to be a part of this great city.”

While Carranza leaves in the midst of HISD facing several challenges, we are confident in the ability to overcome those challenges with viable solutions.

“We the Board wish Carranza the best in his endeavors and appreciate the leadership he brought to this district,” said President Rhonda Skillern-Jones. “We are committed to continuing the work he began and moving the district forward.”

HISD Superintendent of Schools Richard Carranza surprised all district principals with a special ‘”HISD Strong” award at their monthly leadership meeting on Oct. 4, but then school leaders turned the surprise back on him.

While in the midst of being honored by Carranza for her efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Scarborough Elementary Principal Miriam Medina invited a group of fellow school leaders to the front of the board auditorium. The group then announced to the superintendent and Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby that they were awarding the two of them for their leadership during and after the storm.

“Speaking for myself and the group up here, I appreciate our Superintendent and Mr. Busby for their ability to take in all the information including the federal information from FEMA, the state, and local decisions being made at a moment’s notice and then distribute it to us,” said Bellaire High School Principal Mike McDonough, one of nearly a dozen principals who gathered at the front of the board auditorium.

The group, made up of leaders from campuses who had a delayed first day of school because of the storm, thanked Carranza and Busby for their for their strength, support, and commitment to HISD students, staff, and schools impacted by the storm.

“They made sure to make decisions with the help of us, the principals, and included our expertise and knowledge of our school communities,” McDonough said. “We appreciate it.”

Carranza, who was genuinely surprised by the award presentation, thanked the crowd and said the best was yet to come.

“This city cannot survive and this city cannot be a world class city without Houston ISD,” Carranza said. “HISD is the best school district in the state, and we are going to make sure everyone knows it!”

Social and emotional learning, restorative discipline, and expanding wraparound services to be top priorities

The start of the 2017-2018 school year is over two months away, but HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza is outlining some of the district’s top priorities for the coming year.

Carranza recently addressed over 1,500 school and district leaders at the HISD 2017 Professional Learning Series, a two-day training series that traditionally has launched the direction of the district for the coming academic year.

Houston ISD Superintendent Richard Carranza sent the following message today to parents, community members, and employees:

Houston ISD is proud of its rich diversity. Each and every one of our students has a right to an education that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Our focus and determination to serve all students will not be diminished by the recently announced rollback of guidelines to provide much needed protections for transgender students in public schools.

In HISD, we will continue to provide a safe and positive learning environment for all students.

We do not discriminate. In fact, HISD board policy clearly states that we do not condone discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression, or on any other basis prohibited by law. The HISD Board of Education and I are committed to respecting and recognizing all students for who they are.

Our students represent the best of who we are, and together we are HISD.

Houston ISD Superintendent Richard Carranza sent the following message today to parents, community members, and employees:

Dear Team HISD,

Houston ISD has always valued diversity. We do not discriminate. We have young newcomers who come to our schools every year. We do not turn them away. All of our students have a constitutional right to equal access to education regardless of any circumstance that is no fault of their own – whether they’re an immigrant or low-income.

We are a public school district. We serve a tremendous amount of English language learners and economically disadvantaged students who depend on us daily. Our schools are safe havens for all students. Places where they not only learn fundamentals but have the opportunity to learn a new language, a different culture, and explore career pathways. Ultimately, we are preparing students for a future in a world that is becoming more diverse every day. We want our students to leave not only academically enriched but with more positive attitudes toward other cultures.

Our schools will continue to be safe and positive learning environments that promote student learning and development versus discrimination and fear.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza
HISD Superintendent

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HISD Board President Manuel Rodriguez Jr. sat down recently with new Superintendent Richard Carranza to hear his reflections after his initial days on the job and to ask him about his goals for HISD. He noted that Carranza hit the ground running, losing no time in getting out to HISD schools and meeting with community members.